“The government is always concerned about the issue of the minimum wage and will strive to ensure it remains relevant to the current socio-economic situation.

“Therefore, a review of the 2020 Minimum Wages Order is under way,” he said in his speech in conjunction with Labour Day.

“I call on all parties who wish to voice their opinions and suggestions on this issue to participate in the platform provided.”

The minimum wage effective from February last year is RM1,200 for workers in the peninsula while it is RM1,100 in Sabah and Sarawak. However, this does not apply to domestic help.

Muhyiddin said the wage review is part of three strategies he had outlined last year to address the unemployment issue due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said the first strategy is the government’s efforts to ensure workers stay employed and maintain a source of income.

The second, he added, is a comprehensive labour law reform to protect the rights of workers.

“This includes the amendment to the Workers’ Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990 (Act 446) and the enactment of the Emergency (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 to curb the spread of Covid-19 among workers.

“In addition, the government is also in the process of improving and amending labour laws such as the Employment Act 1955 by expanding the scope of application to all employees in the private sector, regardless of the salary limit, extending maternity leave to 90 days and granting paternity leave for three days, among others.”

The prime minister said the last strategy is the emphasis on job creation.

He said the government had implemented various job initiatives such as job matching services like the national employment portal MYFutureJobs, UpskillMalaysia and MySTEP, a short-term employment programme.

“As of April 16 this year, 30,377 people have managed to get jobs through the MySTEP programme.

“Of this number, 27,503 were placed in the public sector while 2,874 were placed with government-linked companies and their strategic partners.”